Wishing Game

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Synopsis

The Earl of Westbridge is dying, and without a male heir. His daughter Mary will lose her home if she does not marry before her father passes. She has already turned down two men while holding onto the hope of finding true love. In her desperation, she plays the wishing game, a childhood folly devised to chase away fear during thunderstorms.

Avery is the unwilling heir to the Westbridge earldom. He arrives a few days before the spring holiday in the middle of a horrific storm to offer his assistance to his distant cousin. Expecting a spinster who had been put on the shelf, he certainly never expected to develop feelings for the beautiful Mary Barrow.

Mistrust and doubt engulf them. It will take a miracle to bring them together. Or maybe just a wish come true.

A gentle romance

This Regency romance is well written and highlights the unfortunate circumstance facing women in that era, where entailed properties and titles were handed over to men, many times leaving women destitute. Mary found herself having to make a choice to either marry to ensure that she didn't lose her home, or throw herself at the mercy of relatives. Her heart longed for love and romance but a youthful betrayal had left her mistrustful of men in general. Avery is the Earl of Westbridge's heir and despite not wanting the responsibility of another property or the title that went with it, he nevertheless visits Mary and her father to offer his assistance. Mary waits for the axe to fall, but finds that she has to reassess her opinion and perhaps even be willing to allow her heart to soften towards Avery. The Wishing Game is an enjoyable read, one that took my mind off more serious matters for a while, and left me feeling warm-hearted and content. The book is clean and can be read by most age groups. I received a copy of this novel as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.